Update: Three Craig residents killed in crash

Three Craig residents are dead after a vehicle drove off a cliff at the Sandrocks and fell 125 feet at 1:40 a.m. Friday.Waylon William Owens, 28, David Kim Johnston, 32, and Jaron Earl Green, 31, were pronounced dead at the scene.According to a police report, emergency responders found a four-wheel drive Jeep Cherokee resting on its top at the bottom of the cliff with the three Craig residents inside. All occupants had to be extricated from the vehicle. Evidence indicates alcohol may have been a factor.Owens owned the vehicle and was the driver at the time of the crash, according to the report."For unknown reasons, it went off the Sandrocks on the top of Green Street," Craig Fire/Rescue Chief Chris Nichols said.There is no indication speed or careless driving led to the crash, Police Chief Walt Vanatta said."We had a witness who saw the car coming over the cliff, but other than that we have nothing on top (of the Sandrocks) that would indicate fast erratic driving or anything like that," the chief said. "At this point, we have absolutely no indication what the cause of the incident was. Anything we do right now would just be speculation. ... One, we don't know why they were there, and two, why they drove off the cliff. And frankly, we may never know."Vanatta estimated it would be next week at the earliest before the Police Department would have toxicology reports or more information.Sherie Moya's two sons witnessed the crash, when they were looking out their bedroom window."They described it as seeing sparks as it was going over and a very loud boom when it hit the bottom," she said."Our hearts go out to the families."

Jerry Raehal can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 204, or jraehal@craigdailypress.com.